Mystery Shopper

Reporting Illegal Dumping in Philadelphia

Our mystery shopper tried to get just one of the dozens of ugly trash heaps cleared away from their North Philly neighborhood. Here's how well—or not—it went.

Mystery Shopper

Requesting a New Book at the Free Library

If there's a book you want that's not part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s collection, will they add it to the catalogue? In the latest installment of our Mystery Shopper series, one of The Citizen’s (many) resident bookworms finds out.

Mystery Shopper

How hard is it to get rid of illegal dumpsters?

Residents of one South Philly block tried for months to get the City to take action against businesses piling garbage on their street. Why is it so hard to get anyone to listen?

Mystery Shopper

How user-friendly is SEPTA’s schedule app?

In the latest installment of our Mystery Shopper column, a local student test-drove how easy, or not, it is to navigate the city via SEPTA’s app

Mystery Shopper

How hard is it to get street closure permits in Philly?

Moving? Throwing a block party? In our latest Mystery Shopper column, one Philadelphian finds out how to (temporarily!) keep people from parking on your street.

Mystery Shopper

How Hard is it to Get a Recycling Bin in Philly?

In the latest installment of our Mystery Shopper column, a local student test-drove how easy, or not, it is to take the first step towards recycling.

Mystery Shopper

Is It Easy to Get a Real ID in PA?

In our latest Mystery Shopper installment, a local student test-drove how easy (or not) it is to get a federally approved source of identification.

Mystery Shopper

What the Hybrid?

Phase III of the School District’s back to campus plan launches next week—a colossal effort to give kids eight days of in-person learning. Our Mystery Shopper reviewed how it's going.

Mystery Shopper

 Is it as easy to read and work in Philly as it should be?

Our mystery shoppers go online to get a library card and working papers for summer. How simple was it?

Mystery Shopper

Are Indego Bikes the Way to Go in Philly?

Our mystery shopper decided to try pedaling through the city with Indego bike share. How’d it go?